Lapping-machine.



B. M. ROGERS. LAPPING MACHINE.

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Patented Sept. 3, 1912.

M. RGERS. LAPPING MAeHmB. APPLICATION FILED KAY 1, V1,911..

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PIJLIGATIQN HLBD MAY 1, 1911.

Patented Sept. 3, 1912.

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S my H 0 LAPPING-MACHINE. l

UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE.

BENJAMIN M. ROGERS, `0F ALIBEMRLE, NORTH CAROLINA.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 3, 1912.

To all 'whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN M. RooERs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Albemarle, in the county of Stanly and State of North Carolina, have invented or discovered certain new and useful Improvements in Lapping-Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

Lap winding machines as usually`constructed include a frame, a'lap-roll upon which is wound the lap delivered from the usual calender rolls, which lap-roll is usually mount-ed for vertical movement in the frame, rolls for supportingr the lap-roll with its accumulated windings of lap, and rack bars engaging at their upper ends the lap-roll and cooperating at their lower ends with tension mechanism, these last named parts operating to apply pressure to the lap as it is wound upon the lap-roll. ln machines of this character, by reason either of improper adjustment of the tension mechanism, which is usua-lly so arranged that slightvariations in its adjustment result in considerable differences in the pressure applied to the lap, or of clogging and stoppage of the parts, an excessive pressure 1s frequently applied to the lap, which sometimes results in breakage of the'rack bars.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide means whereby the pressure applied to the lap-roll will be a. yielding one, either at all times or when above a certain predetermined point.

Another object of the invention is to provide means whereby the amount of pressure applied to the `laproll is automatically measured and indicated. i

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means whereby an electric circuit will be automatically closed under certain circumstances, as when the .pressure on the lapsroll reaches a certain point, and which circuit may be utilized, for example, to sound an alarm.

- Still another object of the invention is to provide means controlled by the pressure on the lap roll for automatically stoppmg'the machine.

These and other objects of .the inventio'm V n together with meansV whereby the same may be carried into effect, willbestbe understoodby reference to the following description of one form or embodiment therepf illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

It is to be understood, however, that the construction described and shown has been chosen for villustrative purposes merely, and that the invention may be embodied in other forms without depart-ing from the spirit and scope thereof. l

In said drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation ofthe machine. Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevation, partly in section, of the rack bar and the mechanism for controlling the stopping of the machine, a part of the electrical connections being indicated -diagrammatically. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the rack bar head. Fig. f1 is a detail seetional view on the line 1 -4, Figi 2.

12 denotes the frame of the machine and 13 the driving shaft which, for reasons which will be hereafter explained, is preferably journale'd in aI lever 14 pivoted at 15 to the frame 12 or a bracket bolted thereto. The driving shaft 13 carries a belt pulley 16 and a gear 17 meshing with a gear 18 from which the various moving parts of the machine are driven, as will be familiar to those skilled in the art.

19 denotes the lap-roll upon which the lap 20 is Wound, and 21, 21 are the supporting rollers for the lap-roll and its accumulated lap.

22 denotes one of the rack bars resting at itsupper end on the end of the lap-roll and formed adjacent its lower end with a rack 23 meshing with a pinion 24 on a shaft 2,5 journaled in the frame 12 and connected with tension mechanism of any suitable form, whereby upward movement of the bars 22 is retarded. As herein shown this vond the slidek 32, its ends entering slots 35I` i in the sides of the head 31. The slide 32 is normally held in its lowermostposition with the ends of the pin 34 iruthe lower ends of the slot 35 by' a strong spring 3'6 interposed I between said slide and the upper end 37 of the head 31. The roller 33 rests upon the reduced end of the laproll 19 and` an additional roller 38 may, if, desired, be provided to engage the side of said end. The slide 32 and spring 36 provide means whereby the downward pressure imparted to the lap-roll is a yielding one. a

Extending upwardly from the slide 32 is a rod 39 provided with a rack 40 meshing with a pinion 41 on a shaft 42 journaled in uprights 43, 43, forming part of a casi above the upper end 37 of the head 31. One

A of which leads to the shaft 'A to notify .comprising the pointer 44 and contact end of the shaft 42 is extended without said casing and has secured thereto a pointer or indicator 44 which, when said shaft is rotated, moves over a dial or scale 45 on the face of the adjacent upright 43. Upward movement of the slide 32 against the tension of the spring 36, caused by an increasing pressure on the lap-roll, will cause the pointer 44 to move over the dial 45 and indicate the amount of suchv pressure. The spring 36 may be so adjusted as to have no initial tension so that any pressure between the lap-roll 19 and roller 33 will cause a movement of the slide 32 and indicator 44, in which case the dial or scale 45 will be so graduated that when the slide 32 is in its normal or lowermost position said indicator will point to zero. Preferably, however, the spring 36 will be placed under an initial tension, for example of 200 pounds, and the dial 45 so graduated that the pointer 44 will normally indicate the amount of this tension. When so arranged'the rack bar 22 will act as a solid bar under all pressures up to200 pounds and will yield only when the pressure exceeds this amount, such excessive pressure being indicated by the pointer 44.

Suitably mounted on the frame 12 adjacent the rack bar 22 are contact members 46, 4 6' in sliding engagement with contact strips 47, 47 carried by said rack bar and preferablyisulated therefrom in any suitable or well known way. Connecting with the contact strips 47, 47 are wires 48, 48 one 42 and the other of which-leads to a contact member 49 on the dial 45 in the path of movement of the pointer 44. The shaft 42 and contact memer 49, one or both, are insulated from the rack bar as by bushings 50. The contact member 49 is so located on the dial 45 that it will be engaged by the pointer 44 when the pressure on the lap reaches a' predetermined maximum, for example, 600 pounds.

Leading from the contact members 46 are wires 51 forming part of an electric circuit which will be closed by the circuit closermember 49 when the pressure on the lap reaches a predetermined amount. The lclosing of this lcircuit may be utilized for any desired purpose, as, for example, to sound an alarm the operator Athat they pressure onA the lap has .become undesirably great.' Preferably, however, and in accordance with one feature of the invention, the closing ofcause the engagement of the gears. 17 and 18 by means of a preferably spring pressed bolt 52 which engages a bracket 53 onl the frame 12. Thebolt 52 is provided with a projecting lug 54 engaged by a knock-off f lever 55 pivoted at 56 to the frame 12. The parts-*just described constitute a stop mechanism for the machine. Movement of the lknock oil" lever 55 to' the rightin engagement with the lug 54 releases the bolt 52 from the bracket 53 permitting the lever 14 to 4drop and disengaging the gears 17 and 18.v In place of this mechanism any other suitable form of stop mechanism capable of operation by the knock-oli' lever 55 may be employed. f

57 denotes a rod slidably mounted in guides 58 supported by the frame-12, said rod engaging the knock-ofi' lever 55. 59 denotes a spring interposed between one of the guides ,58, and a. collar 60 fast on the rod 57, said spring tending to move said rod to actuate the knock-off lever. Said rod is restrained frommovement under the influence of the spring 59 by a catch 61 pivoted at 62 to a suitable part ofthe frame and engaging a shoulder 63 on the rod 57. The catch 61 is provided with an arm 64 engaged by a spring 66 which normally holds said arm in engagement with an adjusting screw`67 and retains said catch 61 in operative position. Said arms 64 constitutes or carries the armature of an electro-magnet 68 to which is connected one ofthe wires'l and a wire 69 leading to-a battery or other source of electric energy 70. The electric circuit is completed by the other of said wires 51.

.The operation of the machine is as follows. The parts being in the positions shown,v the lap-roll -19 is rotated and, as .the lap accumulates thereon, rises carrying with it the rack bar 22 the upward movement of which is resisted by the connected with the pinion 24, thereby causing pressure to be applied to the lap. When this pressure exceeds a Ipredetermined` amount the spring 36 yields, permitting the slide 32 and roller 33 to move upwardly relative to the head 31. This causes the pointer 44 to move over the dial 45 and indicate the amount of the pressure. Should this pressure reach the predetermined maximum, the pointerv44 will engage'the yContact member 49, thereby closing the circuit from the battery 70 to the electro-magnet 68 and energizing said magnet, which, in turn, attracts the arm 64 of the catch 61 and causes said vcatch to release the rod 57. The sprin 59 thereupon moves said rod to the right, w ich operates the knock-off lever 5 5 to stop the machine, as above described.

tension mechanism v sure above. a predetermined amount.

3. In alapping machine, the combination With a lap-roll and Itension mechanism, of a bar connected with said tension mechanism, a roller movably mounted on said bar and engaging said lap-roll, a spring connecting said roller and bar, and an indicator operated by said roller.

4. In a lapping machine, the combination 4With a-lap-roll and tension mechanism, of a bar connected with said tension mechanism, a roller movably mounted on said bar and engaging said lap-roll, a spring connecting said roller and bar, a rack movable With said roller, a shaft journaled in said bar and provided with a pinion meshing with said rack, a pointer on said shaft, and a dial on said bar over which said pointer moves.

5. In a lapping machine, the combination with a lap-roll, of means for applying pres sure to the lap Wound on said roll, an electric circuit, and means for indicating the amountof saidlpressure and for closing said circuit when said pressure exceeds a predetermined amount.

6. In a lapping machine, the combination with a lap-roll and tension mechanism, of a Vbar connected With said tension mechanism,

a roller movably mounted on said bar and 'engaging lsaid lap-roll, a spring connecting said roller and bar, an electric circuit, and a V circuit closer operated by said roller.

7. In a lapping machine, the combination with a lap-roll and tension mechanism, of a bar connected with said tension mechanism,

a roller movably mounted on said bar and engaging said lap-roll, a spring connecting said roller and bar,

' naled in said bar and providedwith a pinion :meshing with said raclnand a circuit closer operated by said shaft.

8. In a lapping machine, the combination with a frame, a lap-roll and tension mecha nism'mounted in said frame, and a bar slidmounted in said frame and connecting ablr sai lap-roll and tension mechanism for applying pressure to the lap Wound on said lap roll, of an electric circuit including contact strips on said bar, and coperating'contact with a lap-roll and means for applying presan electric circuit, a rack` movable with said roller, a shaft jour.-

sure to the lap wound thereon, of an electric circuit and means controlled by the amount of said pressure for closing said circuit.

10. In a lappin machine, the combination With a lap-rol tension mechanism, and means connecting said lap roll and tension mechanism for applying pressure to the lap Wound on said lap-roll, of an electric circuit, and a circuit closer carried by said connecting means and controlled by the amount of said pressure.

11. In a lapping machine, the combina tion With a lap-roll and means for applying pressure to the lap wound thereon, of an electric circuit and means for automatically closing said circuit when said pressure reaches a predetermined point.

12. In a lapping machine, the combina ti'on with a lap-roll and means for applying pressure to the lap Wound thereon of a stop mechanism for said machine and means controlled by the amount of said pressure for operating said stop mechanism.

13. In a lapping machinefthe combination With a lap-roll and means for applying pressure to the lap Wound thereon, of a stop mechanism for said machine, an electric circuit and connections for controlling said stop mechanism, and means controlled by the amount of said pressure for closing said circuit.

14. In a lapping machine, the combination with a lap roll and tension mechanism, of a rack bar connected with said tension mechanism, a roller movably mounted on said rack bar and engaging said lap-roll, a spring connecting said roller and bar, a stop mechanism for said machine, and means controlled by the movement of said roller relative to said rack'bar for operating said stop mechanism.

15. In a lapping machine, the combina- 4vtion with a la -roll and means for applying pressure tot e lap Wound thereon, of a knock-off lever, a spring pressed rod for operating said lever, a catchv for restraining said rod, and means controlled by the amount of said pressure for operating said catch.

16. In a lapping machine, the combination with a lap-roll and means for applying pressure to the lap Wound thereon, of a stop Vmechanism for said machine and electrically operated means controlled by the amount of said pressure for controlling said stop mech- 17. In a lapping machine, the combination with a lap-roll and means for applying pressure to the 'lap wound thereon, of a knock-oi lever, a spring pressed rod for operating said lever, a catch for restrainingv said rod, an electro-magnet for releasin said catch, and means lcontrolled by the amount of said pressure for controlling the current to said electro-magnet.

10 said catch, and means controlled by 'the movement of said roller relative to said rack bar for controlling the current to said electro-magnet.

In testimony whereof I ax my signature, in presence of two Witnesses.

BENJAMIN M. ROGERS.

.A Witnesses J. R. BURLESON, T. C. Runas.' 

